Seatek Roto-Splits

[goldstar]

Anyone buy a Seatek Roto-Split lately ? I bought a new one last week and tried to cut steel BX, but it failed to make the cut through the armor. It did make A cut into the spiral but was not enough to split the armor apart. I know Einstein stated that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is a sign of insanity. But, I did just that several times and got the same result. FINALLY I looked closely at the label on the side of the tool and there were 2 settings which stated "std. MC" and "sm MC". Are there any Roto-Splits out there that cut through steel armored cable ?

 

[LarryFine]

FINALLY I looked closely at the label on the side of the tool and there were 2 settings which stated "std. MC" and "sm MC".

Result with other setting?

 

[Greentagger]

Give him time to change first blade.

 

[goldstar]

Yeah Larry, I tried ALL the other settings but same thing and same shallow cut. Now I'm sorry I threw my old one out, even though was malfunctioning from time to time

 

[goldstar]

Give him time to change first blade.

I did buy spare blades and didn't try changing them yet. Wouldn't you think that Seatek would put a quality blade in the tool up front ?

 

[Greentagger]

Just teasing, didn’t know if first setting broke first blade.

 

[Little Bill]

Result with other setting?

Yeah Larry, I tried ALL the other settings but same thing and same shallow cut. Now I'm sorry I threw my old one out, even though was malfunctioning from time to time

That setting is just for the size of the cable, large for old MC or small for new smaller MC. It just adjust the clamping for each and maybe (?) let the blade move farther down. I'm not sure if they still make one for the old BX or not.

 

[goldstar]

OK. I'm finally getting to the source of the problem. When I ordered a Roto-Split fdrom my supply house this is what they sent me :

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VX5Q14U/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=dMvwuGYBgiegP4CPlQL5Qw&hsa_cr_id=2755975090501&pd_rd_r=d7f31f03-f8f8-46c1-9cdf-67a01093bb9a&pd_rd_w=aVT7a&pd_rd_wg=JS96v&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_td_asin_0

• The first bullet point in the description states that it can cut ANY type of armored cable
• The second bullet point states that it's a perfect tool for any electrician working with MC

Southwire also makes this type of Roto-Split which is probably what I need :

https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Equipment-MCCUT-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B00KCYMUXE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1YNMKF83I159D&dchild=1&keywords=armored+cable+cutter&qid=1611525885&sprefix=armored+cable+cutter%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWlk3Skk1VDIxOTVLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDcxMjQ2M0c1QjIxRTBHMEZOVSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTQ3NjQzMk9QNjhCWVhNMDdNTiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

It says it cuts BX, MC and Flex cable. You have to pay for your education !!!

 

[hbiss]

I have had mine for years and works on everything. I can't understand why they would make one for only MC. Maybe the small MC setting? Won't the second one do that size too?

Edit: I think my old one had a blade depth adjustment.

-Hal

 

[LarryFine]

I usually just cut MC with my pliers, bend and break it one or two spirals short of where I want it to end, and trim with the pliers.

 

[goldstar]

I have had mine for years and works on everything. I can't understand why they would make one for only MC. Maybe the small MC setting? Won't the second one do that size too?

Edit: I think my old one had a blade depth adjustment.

-Hal

If you click on the first link I posted and scroll over the photo you'll see a small clip on the center of the tool that shows "std mc" and "sm mc". I tried moving that back and forth but it didn't change the depth of the blade. There is also a red tab inside the pocket where the cable fits in to move the cable out if it's a smaller gauge cable. Tried all options but nothing worked. I'm going to try once m,ore before I take it on the chin for this one and buy the better one.

 

[kwired]

My Greenlee version I have had for years has worked on steel armor or even 3/8 steel flex every time I tried it for steel. Blades probably won't last as long on steel as aluminum, but cuts on steel have been somewhat rarely done for me.

 

[hbiss]

I'm going to try once m,ore before I take it on the chin for this one and buy the better one.

Looks like the "better" one is cheaper too!

My Greenlee version I have had for years has worked on steel armor or even 3/8 steel flex every time I tried it for steel. Blades probably won't last as long on steel as aluminum, but cuts on steel have been somewhat rarely done for me.

Never had a problem with the blade wearing out with steel armor.

I usually just cut MC with my pliers, bend and break it one or two spirals short of where I want it to end, and trim with the pliers.

The manufacturers want you to use the cutter to avoid damage. Actually it's just as fast or faster too. The only downside is it's another tool to carry.

-Hal

 

[kwired]

I usually just cut MC with my pliers, bend and break it one or two spirals short of where I want it to end, and trim with the pliers.

With steel armored cable?

 

[goldstar]

With steel armored cable?

I used to use one of these but they became dull and I never replaced it. Works great but only in some instances. If you only have to cut a short piece of armor it's difficult.

https://www.amazon.com/All-Purpose-Shears-Klein-Tools-1104/dp/B001BPWRPO/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=klein+bx+cutters&qid=1611670434&sr=8-2

BTW, I filed a complaint with Southwire. If they respond I will post it here.

 

[hbiss]

BTW, I filed a complaint with Southwire. If they respond I will post it here.

Yeah. At least they should make it clear that one is for MC only.

-Hal

 

[lordofthisworld]

OK. I'm finally getting to the source of the problem. When I ordered a Roto-Split fdrom my supply house this is what they sent me :

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VX5Q14U/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=dMvwuGYBgiegP4CPlQL5Qw&hsa_cr_id=2755975090501&pd_rd_r=d7f31f03-f8f8-46c1-9cdf-67a01093bb9a&pd_rd_w=aVT7a&pd_rd_wg=JS96v&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_td_asin_0

• The first bullet point in the description states that it can cut ANY type of armored cable
• The second bullet point states that it's a perfect tool for any electrician working with MC

Southwire also makes this type of Roto-Split which is probably what I need :

https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Equipment-MCCUT-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B00KCYMUXE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1YNMKF83I159D&dchild=1&keywords=armored+cable+cutter&qid=1611525885&sprefix=armored+cable+cutter%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWlk3Skk1VDIxOTVLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDcxMjQ2M0c1QjIxRTBHMEZOVSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTQ3NjQzMk9QNjhCWVhNMDdNTiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

It says it cuts BX, MC and Flex cable. You have to pay for your education !!!

I think Southwire actually bought out Seal-Tek

 

[LarryFine]

Can't something be laid in the bottom of the tool to raise the cable enough?

 

[goldstar]

Well, I finally got the tool to cut BX. I generally don't give up on things but I laid the tool aside for a day or so and before I decided to take it back to the supply house I took another close look at it. Directly above that little silver lever on the handle that states STD. MC and SM. MC there is a Allen set screw. That set screw torques down on top of that silver lever. Apparently the tool is set up and shipped out ready to cut MC. I backed off that set screw and the tool now cuts steel BX. Tah Dah How a tool can make you feel like a real idiot.

 

[hbiss]

No. The real idiot is someone who designed a separate tool just for MC.

-Hal